County Task Forces Work to Meet Community Challenges During COVID-19

Prince William County continues to work to meet both the public health and economic needs of residents through its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which coordinates task forces on community feeding programs, COVID-19 testing and county operations, as well as rent, mortgage and utility relief. Following are highlights from Prince William’s Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Misner recent update to the Board of County Supervisors.

Community Feeding Task Force

Since launching this spring, the Prince William Community Feeding Task Force has distributed 2.6 million pounds of food, which equates to more than 1.3 million meals for county residents in need. The County runs the program in partnership with ACTS/Prince William Food Rescue.

In July, the Task Force distributed 977,000 pounds of food through its warehouse, utilizing funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act. It also processes donations of money and food provided by community members and local businesses (learn how to donate).

In addition to distributing food through food pantries and distribution events held by various community partners, the feeding task force makes 200 home deliveries to shut-in senior citizens each month. One delivery provides enough food for nearly one week. The feeding task force also makes 500 monthly deliveries to families who are homebound due to the pandemic. These deliveries feed a family of four for about four days.

COVID-19 Testing Task Force

Through the COVID-19 Testing Task Force, the County runs six fixed testing sites at Splashdown Waterpark, the Woodbridge Senior Center, Cloverdale Park, James S. Long Park, the Dumfries-Triangle Rescue Squad Station and Metz Middle School for drive-through or walk-up testing. Mobile testing is also available. Days and times vary. Check the County’s dedicated coronavirus response website to learn more.

This testing is free to anyone who lives in the county or the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. As of August 2020, results are typically available in 3-10 days.

Rent, Mortgage and Utility Relief Task Force

Working under Prince William’s Emergency Housing and Assistance Program, The Rent, Mortgage and Utility Relief Task Force helps people who are having trouble meeting payments related to housing. Funding for the program, which is administered by the Prince William County Office of Housing and Community Development, came from the CARES Act. Since the task force was established on July 1, it has received 813 applications and provided $213,000 in assistance.

Reconstitution Task Force

The Reconstitution Task Force helps county agencies to offer limited in-person operations, by providing precautions such as plexiglass shields, personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer. It also makes masks available to residents who do not bring their own to our government facilities, eliminating that as a potential barrier to accessing County services. The task force reviews U.S. Department of Labor and Industry emergency regulations to determine how they can be implemented across the county to establish a safer environment for the public and employees.

For more information on County resources and efforts around COVID-19, visit CoronavirusPWCGov.org

or text COVIDPWC to 888-777 for English or COVIDPWCES to 888-777 for Spanish.